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Bulk Ink System Problem

Hello Guys,

I installed a new bulk ink system on my xc 540 over 2 weeks ago. I was completely happy in the beginning and printed 10 rolls without a problem.
Yesterday, the lines leading from the big container to the cartridge are not letting the ink pass into the cartridge. I've cut the lines and
put new ones and I am continuing to experience the same problem. Anyone have advice?
 
The ink is flowing through the tube now and the valve but doesn't go into the cartridge. I pulled out the tube from the cartridge and the ink falls out. I have turned the knob on the cartridge both ways and still does not enter the cartridge.
 

Jack Knight1979

New Member
You're using the carts with the floats in them right?

They're crap.

I have a 12 cart system and the floats either seize up or fail some how. You need to replace the cart. I have been through 4 or 5 in a couple years. Which isn't terrible, but not as reliable as I'd like. I have taken the valve apart to try and adjust it, but it's not worth my time. New carts with the float valves are available from your seller or ebay $25.00

buy a couple. Others will fail.
 

SightLine

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Not sure if one is available for a Roland or not but there probably is. Look into a sealed ink bag bulk setup. They are more expensive but far more reliable, less messy (zero spills or drips), zero ink contamination, zero ink exposure to the air, not susceptible to level issues, will cause zero pressure issues, etc. Their improvement over the older open tank style (with intermediate float carts or whatever) is orders of magnitude better technology. Considering your stock ink system was designed to be a closed system there are literally a huge amount of potential issues with putting an open system on. Pressure issues being one big problematic bit, your stock cartridges simply collapse the bag inside as ink is used, this causes no pressure differentials in the ink train. If it is having to overcome a float or gravity or a rigid open tank with a closed lid then there are pressure differentials (both negative and positive depending on what is happening) that are not present in the stock setup that can very well cause issues. You also are exposing the ink to open air, that in itself can be problematic since (even if just a little) that is allowing the ink to absorb moisture in the air, some evaporation (curing), etc. which even if just a little is slightly changing the chemistry of the ink. A bulk setup that uses bulk ink bags keeps all the pressures the same as if it were using factory carts, eliminates the need for mechanical floats, and never exposes the ink to air.

Regardless - as Jack mentioned. If your bulk setup is using sub-carts with floats then check to make sure the floats in the black ones are not hanging up. If it is sticking even just the tiniest bit then your pump(s) are trying to overcome that which is causing huge negative pressures in the ink train.
 

Jack Knight1979

New Member
Great post!

:U Rock:

Rolands do not have a bag bulk system unfortunately. I used to run a tank to cart system (easyfillpro), that thing was a total nightmare. I always had pressure issues. The float system has corrected all my pressure problems, but the carts go bad quickly. Mimaki has a really nice OEM 2 liter bulk bag system. No such luck for Rolands. This is truly their weakest link. Rolands limited ink capacity is a PITA. They force their users to abandon their inks. I can't run my business with 440's.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cartridge-f...651?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4603a72243
 

SightLine

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I do not have the OEM Mimaki MBIS bulk setup. Mine is Triangles Eco Bulk bag setup. The ink comes in 2 liter ink bags (in a cardboard box) that you just set on the upper stand and poke the needle into it. Works great! Rolands use essentially the exact same style 220/440ml cartridges as Mimaki machines (just with a slightly different ink formulation) so I cannot imagine why one of the aftermarket ones for a Mimaki could not be adapted.

In a quick search it does look as though Bordeaux has an ink bag based bulk system for Rolands.

http://www.visualformix.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=310

And if you did not want to use their particular inks, I've run across places that sell empty ink bags. Would have to figure a decently easy way to fill them up of course. That being said Bordeaux is one of the top most reputable ink brands out there. We have a couple of merchant members here that sell Bordeaux as well.
 

LFC911

New Member
Kingofwraps, on the tubing going into the bulk tanks, make sure that the tubing isn't "topped out" inside the compression fitting restricting the ink flow. In other words see how far the tubing can go into the bulk tank fitting and back out a few mm's before you tighten the cap, so it not hitting the top of the opening.
 
I'm beginning to understand the system better now and how to flow the ink into the cartridges smoothly. I cannot seem to understand why in the middle of a print some heads just get completely blocked out. I stopped the print, performed a test print and a ton of nozzles are blocked out. It seems like air bubbles or pressure have got into the tubing. What causes this? Now, I'm doing powerful cleanings and same crap is happening again. Doesn't clear out the nozzles. I am going to go ahead and soak the caps and do some manual cleanings :banghead::banghead::banghead:
 

Sachintharock

New Member
Hello I have a bulk ink system but I don't have any ink reseting chips for the ink cartridges .To use the bulk ink system in XC540 do I need ink chips ? or can I use the cartridges without chips? Can somebody help me ?
 
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